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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

How do you clean your cushions?

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/23/2003 : 08:33:27

Hello All,

How do you all (y'all) clean your cushions, i.e. quarter berth cushions, v-berth cushions? You may remember my wife and I recently purchased the Adventurous, and with the tempurature a balmy 3 degrees this morning, there doesn't seem to be a lot to do with the boat right now but clean it up a bit, and the cushions are definitely in need of a good cleaning.

Any tips and things to look out for a greatly appreciated.

Thanks,<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Ben
Adventurous
#5553
C25 SR/SK

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 10:36:40

Hey Ben,

I use a small vaccuum cleaner that I keep aboard Snickerdoodle. Haven't had large stains or spills - so don't know the answer if that's your problem.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 11:11:18

Hi Ben,

Go Buckeyes!

My diesel c-25 really smelled bad and the cushions were very dirty.

Here is how I got them clean and almost totally odor free.

Wash the covers in warm water with colorsafe bleach, fabric softener and fabreeze.

Then dry them gently.

Put the foam rubber and dried covers outside in direct bright sunlight. Flip them around for even coverage on all sides.

The UV will kill alot of the odors. It got most of the diesel smell out of my cushions and covers. And I can tell you dude, diesel smell permeates everything.

Normal dirtiness ought to come out just fine.

Then, the hard part. Hire Hulk Hogan to help put the covers back over the foam rubber. It is really hard on your hands and arms but you'll figure it out.

P

Edited by - pwhallon on 01/23/2003 14:26:12

Edited by - pwhallon on 01/23/2003 14:27:15

Edited by - pwhallon on 01/23/2003 14:38:21

Edited by - on

Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 11:23:46

Thanks Bill & P,

GO BUCKS! That was some game. I've watched it three times already.

Anyway, thanks for the tips on cleaning my cushions.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Ben
Adventurous
#5553
C25 SR/SK

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 11:26:06

Then, the hard part. Hire Hulk Hogan to help put the covers back over the foam rubber. It is really hard on your hands and arms but you'll figure it out. - Paul

Ben,

Here are a couple of tips I've read that might help to get the covers back on the foam ... I haven't tried either one, but they sound like they're worth a try (they came from Cruising World's Workbench) :

#1 "Wrap the cushion completely with a very thin (2 mil or less) plastic drop sheet. Secure and seal the plastic with clear tape. Your foam slab will slip into its cover with ease."

#2 "Spray the cushion with a 'dry silicone lubricant' that can be found at most upholstery shops. Keep in mind that this is a distinctly different product from that used on turnbuckles and snap shackles. It dries in just a few seconds and is odorless."

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 11:37:39

"And I can tell you dude, diesel smell permiates everything." - Paul

I've actually never been on a diesel powered boat before and I was wondering if it is rather normal for a boat like this(inboard diesel) to reek of diesel?

Eventually, I'll get a larger boat with this engine, and though I don't mind the smell of diesel, my significant other would not be able to take it since she likes the high end fragrances like "Jessica McClintock".

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 12:30:59

Don Lucier,<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>... was wondering if it is rather normal for a ... inboard diesel to reek ...?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>Every diesel powered sailboat I've ever been on smelled at least a bit of diesel fuel. That is, as soon as my head was in the cabin, there was no doubt what so ever that the boat was diesel powered. Some of them really reeked. I've found it to be a very difficult odor to get rid of, it really permeates stuff.

As was mentioned in another diesel thread, some folks enjoy the subtle nautical bouquet of diesel fuel, oiled teak, sunscreen, damp towels, cooked fish, spilled beer, etc. I wouldn't assume that members of the fairer gender do, unless they specifically say so.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 14:37:42

Boy am I embarrassed.

I spelled odor and permeates wrong. Some Telltale editor eh!

Someone mentioned the smell of 2 stroke engines being unbearable. I don't mind 2 stroke smell, but diesel kills me.

Do Atomic-4 gas engines smell up the cabin?

There is a product on the market that is said to be very effective at killing diesel smell.

Odor-beater, killer, ...something...I don't remember.

If we can figure out what it is, it might be worth a try.

PW
Stinkboater longing to be back on the dark side.

Edited by - pwhallon on 01/23/2003 14:40:12

Edited by - pwhallon on 01/23/2003 14:41:08

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 18:38:28

Ben: If you want to try cleaning the cushions without removing and re-stuffing the foam (a big project), thoroughly vaccuum them first, and then use a spray-on upholstery cleaner that you scrub and then towel off. Next, spray on Febreze to take care of the residual smells, and leave the cushions out in the sun till thoroughly dry. A final shot of Scotchguard is good insurance against future staining and permeation.

But first, look inside to see whether the foam shows signs of mildew or permeation by various beverages or other fluids... If so, you'll probably need to pull the foam.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/23/2003 18:47:14

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 20:04:29

Have owned several diesel boats. Some smelled, some not. If you can keep the engine scrupulously clean, and the engine room the same, should be very little smell, but it is a LOT of work, and maybe not worth it. God bless, ron srsk 1981 Orion SW FL

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2003 : 20:55:54

When I bought my 22 the cushions reeked of gasonline and mildew. I cleaned the cushions by washing the covers in detergent, and OXYCLEAN. Yes, that's the stuff on infomercials, bought it at Sams.
I washed the foam in a huge tub with oxyclean only. Took a week to dry. Not this time of year. It was summer.
It was a bear to put the covers back on.
sprayed them with Fabreeze, and then let them air out some more. Didn't try Scotchguard. That's a good idea.
At least my new boat doesn't smell bad, I think I'll use some Fabreeze, then Scotchguard.

Good luck

Frank

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